Addison Legg sweeps competition for Miss Diamond Daze crown

Sallisaw’s annual Diamond Daze festival has undergone many changes in its 19 years. Among the most popular additions are the Diamond Daze pageants.

Miss Diamond Daze was crowned Saturday as the climax to a full day that featured 34 contestants competing in seven age-group pageants for boys and girls, as well as six individual titles.

Addison Legg, a sophomore at Sallisaw and 16-year-old daughter of Daryl and Ashley Legg, was crowned the second Miss Diamond Daze.

Miss Diamond Daze 2024 Trinity Raine Cox crowned Legg, who swept the field of contestants, winning on-stage question and evening wear, and won two of the six individual titles awarded, including best dressed and the pageant’s Knock-Out Award for the highest overall score.

During the on-stage question, each contestant was asked, “Why do you want to be Miss Diamond Daze?” Legg began her response with “Miss Diamond Daze isn’t just a pageant, it is the opportunity to be an ambassador for the community.”

“It was a sweep,” said Deree Stafford, director for the Diamond Daze pageants. “Addison was absolutely stunning. She has poise and grace beyond her years.

“After she was crowned, I asked her to come to the podium to announce the rest of the winners. She didn’t hesitate. She took over, and I was blown away by her articulate speaking voice. Addison has the overall package. I believe 100% that she could be very successful if she wants to pursue pageants,” Stafford said.

Other Miss Diamond Daze contestants in the 16-19 age group were Sallisaw junior and first runner-up Adelynn Marie Orendorff, the 18-year-old daughter of Dr. Chris and Danna Orendorff, and Stilwell junior and second runner-up Aaliyah Haley Dawn Larson, the 18-year-old daughter of Tisha Larson and Paul Turner, and Jonathan Larson.

Legg’s younger sister, Avá, was crowned Pre-Teen Miss in the 10-12-year division. “Avá was cracking me up. She has a dynamite personality,” Stafford observed.

Other winners

Winners for the six individual titles were:

• Miss Congeniality — Alivia Davis, 7-year-old daughter of Tyler and Megan Davis

• Mr. Congeniality — Colter Lenington, 2-year-old son of Cole and Paula Lenington

• Best Dressed — Addison Legg, 16-year-old daughter of Daryl and Ashley Legg

• Knock-Out Award (contestant with the highest overall score) — Addison Legg

• Crowd Favorite Award (voted on by the audience) — Paisley Lenington, 7-year-old daughter of Cole and Paula Lexington

• Shining Star Award (contestant that has the most potential to be successful in pageants) — Landree Kate Carter, 4-year-old daughter of Angel and Bailey Carter

A record number of sponsors contributed to the pageant’s 2025 popularity, with sponsors paying contestant entry fees and/or donating toward the purchase of items for gift bags. Every contestant received a gift bag overflowing with gifts and candy, so no one went home empty handed.

The generosity didn’t end there. The Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, along with KW Lawn & Landscaping, awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Trinity Raine Cox, last year’s first-ever Miss Diamond Daze, and to newly crowned Miss Diamond Daze Addison Legg. In addition, Legg also received $250 in cash and a large gift.

The Sallisaw Chamber has also committed to the scholarship award for next year’s pageant as well.

Sponsors this year were KW Lawn & Landscaping, Jodie Lee’s Furniture, the Fraternal Order of Police, Perfectly Posh, B&B Welding, State Farm Insurance, George and Holly Bormann, National Bank of Sallisaw, The Flower Nook, On the Floor Liquor Store, Charlie’s Chicken, Alley & Elm and Lizzy Lou’s.

In other age-group pageants, winners were:

• 12-23 months (boys) — Harrison Smith, 15 months. The other contestant was Jaden Ryan Hyler, 16 mos.

• Tiny Miss, 12-23 months (girls) — Emry Kate Haning of Sallisaw, the 20-month-old daughter of Dylan and Lexie Haning.

• Toddler Miss, 2-3 years (girls) — Jazela Netro of Stilwell, the 3-year-old daughter of Juan and Jacinda Netro.

• Toddler Mister, 2-3 years (boys) — Colter Lenington of Sallisaw, 2-year-old son of Cole and Paula Lenington.

• Little Miss, 4-6 years (girls) — Landree Kate Carter of Sallisaw, the 4-year-old daughter of Angel and Bailey Carter.

• Junior Miss, 7-9 years (girls) — Hazel Branham of Sallisaw, the 7-year-old daughter of Cole and Paula Lenington.

• Pre-Teen Miss, 10-12 years (girls) — Avá Legg of Sallisaw, the 10-year-old daughter of Daryl and Ashley Legg.

• Teen Miss, 13-15 years (girls) — Natalie Flute of Sallisaw, the 15-year-old daughter of Thomas and Abbie Flute. She is a Sallisaw freshman, and will be involved in community projects and speaking obligations with Miss Diamond Daze throughout the year.

Although boys were eligible to compete in the 4-6 years and 7-9 years age groups, no boys entered.

Judges for the pageants were Natasha Christie, who has lived in the Stilwell area all her life, was crowned Little Miss Oklahoma, Strawberry Princess and Rodeo Queen; Dr. Randy Smith, who served as a tribal administrator/CEO for the Choctaw Nation and as college president at two institutions, and was a judge for the Miss Rodeo America Pageant in Las Vegas; and Randy’s wife, Dora, who works for the City of Fort Smith and is a licensed real estate agent.

Pageants’ dedication

Before the pageants got underway, Stafford spoke about Baylee Rayann Coachman, an 11-year-old who recently passed away in a tragic accident. The Diamond Daze pageants were dedicated in memory of Baylee. Her father, Franklin, was in attendance as the guest of honor. He was recognized on stage, and received a warm welcome from the audience with a long lasting round of applause. Franklin said his heart was filled with warmth from all the support he has received from the community. He said he had never seen anything to compare in the 30 years he has lived in Sallisaw. Franklin is receiving donations for Baylee’s headstone on Cash app $franklincoachman.

One contestant in the girls’ 7-9-year-old division, Amelia Miller, a 9-year-old at Central Public Schools and daughter of Jordan Seratt, gave a donation to help with Baylee’s headstone.

“I remember Amelia from the pageant last year,” Stafford said. “She is one of those kids that stands out. She had these beautiful braids in her hair for this year’s competition. As she was walking away, she turned back around and handed me some money to donate to Baylee’s father.

“It’s those little moments right there that make all of this worth it,” Stafford said.

At the end of the pageants, 2024 Miss Diamond Daze Trinity Raine Cox took to the stage for her farewell.

“I was overcome with emotion,” Stafford said. “I could barely get my words out through the tears. Trinity did an amazing job this past year representing the community and fulfilling every obligation asked of her. She will be missed.”

Cox will attend OSU in the fall, majoring in veterinary medicine.

Stafford also announced big plans for next year’s Diamond Daze pageants.

“The pageants will remain in the downtown area, but because of the growing success, Larry Crowe has agreed to let the pageants move to the remodeled school auditorium next to his Big Toy Museum,” Stafford said.

Stafford also took the opportunity to recognize and express her appreciation to the City of Sallisaw, David and Brandi Kennedy, George and Holly Bormann, Sallisaw Mayor Ernie Martens, Tucker Martens, John Weber, Brenda Webb, Larry Randolph, Jason Stratman, Shannon and Cheryl Vann, Jodie Lee Campney, Bill and Jessica Buckner, Rhonda and Rick Nicholson, Matt Caldwell, Bill Edgmon, Tasha Christie, Dr. Randy Smith, Dora Smith, Gabby Mitchell, Gibby and Kayleen Mitchell, Nick and Tinisha Cox, Rhonda Valdivia, contestants and their families, and the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce.

Diamond Daze is the successor to the Grapes of Wrath Festival, which was held in October from 1990 to 1998.

Photos and results for other Diamond Daze competitions and activities will appear next week in an edition of Your TIMES.